Government Services Facilitation Consultant

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION  

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. ITU also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all.

Government Services Facilitation Consultant 

 Vacancy notice no: 1883 
Sector: BDT
Department: Regional Offices
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based

 Position number: [[positionNumber]] 
Grade: [[PositionGrade]] 
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: 50 working days
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 1 January 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:

• Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
• Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS) 
• Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) 
• Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)

The regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

E-waste constitutes one of the fastest growing waste streams globally. In 2022, it was estimated that some 5.3 billion people were connected to the Internet and the number of mobile phone subscriptions is currently greater than the human population. Annually, an estimated 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste is generated containing USD 57 billion worth of precious and valuable materials, in terms of their economic value. In line with Resolution 66, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) carries out a number of activities related to waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), or “e-waste” and in the areas of climate change and green digital transformation. 
The Government of Thailand is in the process of developing a national regulation governing the management of e-waste, based on the environmental policy principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) – a policy approach designed to shift the responsibility to producers for the entire life cycle of the products they produce. The introduction of EPR can lead to new roles and responsibilities and new services and procedures for stakeholders to comply with. This may apply to services users such as government agencies, equipment manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, consumers and waste managers, among others, depending on the regulation. 
ITU is looking for a consultant to perform a deep-dive study into the existing digital and offline government services and procedures in Thailand that relate to the trade of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), company registration, taxation, online payments and any licensing requirements and associated procedures relating to the business operations licensing of waste management companies. As part of the deep dive, the consultant will also identify the potential new procedures and requirements where new compliance measures are anticipated to be introduced, as part of the introduction of a national e-waste regulation in Thailand. These may include procedures relating to registration, licensing, fee payment, reporting or auditing among others. The consultant will document the possibilities to reduce any administrative burden potentially arising from the introduction of new procedures, where possible identifying opportunities to streamline with those existing and to digitize every step. 
The detailed findings, mapping and recommendations resulting from the deep dive will feed into the “administrative arrangements” chapter of the technical proposal report on the implementation of EPR for EEE in Thailand, being prepared by ITU for the Government of Thailand, under the project: Creating a Circular Economy for Electronics and Electricals in Thailand and in Mongolia. 

More about the project: 
In line with the WTDC-22 Kigali Action Plan, this project aims to support the Governments of Thailand and Mongolia in the development of a national e-waste management regulation and the implementation of the EPR principle for the EEE sector. The project is made possible through collaboration between ITU and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) of Australia.
 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The consultant will:
•    Undertake a deep-dive study into the existing digital and offline government services and procedures in Thailand that relate to the trade of EEE, company registration, taxation, online payments and any licensing requirements and associated procedures relating to the business operations licensing of waste management companies.
•    Identify the potential new procedures and requirements where new compliance measures are anticipated to be introduced, as part of the introduction of a national e-waste regulation in Thailand and document the possibilities to reduce any administrative burden potentially arising from the introduction of new procedures, where possible identifying opportunities to streamline with those existing and to digitize every step.
•    Lead the organisation and facilitation of any necessary consultations, bilaterals, meetings, interviews and surveys etc., both in person and online with government and industry stakeholders in order to gather inputs for the deep dive. Such consultations will be structured and organised in close collaboration with the ITU project team, ensuring alignment with other stakeholder consultation-related project activities running in parallel.
•    Draft a coherent and comprehensive deep dive report into the potential facilitation of government services to support the new requirements for stakeholders in response to the introduction of the EPR policy principle in the EEE sector. The report should compile all findings from the deep dive study, including desk-based research and findings from online and in person consultations with stakeholders.
•    Include capacity building elements in the entire process outlined as part of the description of duties. This is to maintain a high-level of understanding of the topics under discussion by all stakeholders, and to introduce new approaches, models and principles etc., as the basis for discussion.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

•    Well-summarised short reports from any consultations with government and producer stakeholders during the undertaking of the deep dive (March 2025).
•    One well-drafted short report which maps out the initial architecture for all the services and procedures and opportunities for streamlining and digitizing, supporting the forthcoming requirements for compliance in the area of EPR and e-waste management in Thailand (May 2025).
 

COMPETENCIES

• Advanced knowledge of government digital services and whole-of-government approaches to digital citizen and business services in Thailand.
• Sound understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the ministries, departments and offices and industry associations of Thailand. 
• Expertise in the preparation and facilitation of lively and consultative workshops and stakeholder consultations. 
• An understanding of the electronics sector and e-waste management in Thailand would be desirable.
   

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:
Advanced university degree in business, business processes, import and trade related studies or in a field that is related to environmental consulting.

Experience:
At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with specialization in trade, business or in environmental consulting.  A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.
Progressive experience working with import procedures for companies and / or products in Thailand with any industry sector.

Languages:
Knowledge of English and Thai at advanced level.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

USD 300 per working day, paid in two instalments of USD 7500 each, upon satisfactory delivery of each deliverable, respectively, by the dates indicated.

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS   

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.